FORMER Irish rugby star Peter Clohessy has claimed his pub business in Limerick is being "crucified" by works associated with a €5m plan to open up Limerick to the River Shannon.

Accumulated losses at the company that operates his pub and nightclub increased by €180,495 to €504,139 in the 12 months to the end of August 2012.

However, Mr Clohessy said that the loss arose from non-cash items including depreciation and the firm recorded a cash profit for the year.

Mr Clohessy said that Limerick's Munster hurling win last Sunday and the Bruce Springsteen concert on Tuesday "have been a great boost to business".

However, the former Ireland and Munster prop forward said that the summer has been lost to the pub with the roadworks which commenced in February and are due to be completed in September.

The roadworks are part of a Limerick City Council, Shannon Development and Failte Ireland project opening up the city to the River Shannon that includes a boardwalk across the road from the Clohessy pub.

"The boardwalk will be good for business in the long run, but at the moment, it is hurting us," Mr Clohessy said.